M17, the Swan Nebula, islike many other emission nebula in that it emits red light from
hydrogen gas clouds excited by the high energy of young stars.
Unlike other nebula of its class, the bright stars that are
energizing the Swan Nebulaare
concealed by dense dust. Some of this dust in the center of
the Swan both obscures and reflects the light from these bright
stars. White and blue light reflected by dust, combined with
the red light emitted by hydrogen, can create a mix of pink and
magenta tones near the center of the swan. The Swan Nebulalies at the edge of a large
molecular cloud 5,500 light-years from Earth and is within the
Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way.

M17 can be easily seen in binoculars and in a
telescope the brighter portion of the nebula has the very
distinctive shape of a swan, or the Greek letter Omega, hence its
popular names. It is also known as the Lobster, Horseshoe, and
Checkmark Nebula.

Comments: Average sky conditions
prevailed for imaging, with some cirrus patches from time to
time. Late start after midnight awaiting moonset which
limited exposures as M17 got too low on the horizon.